Pheniramine is an antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis and pruritus. Pheniramine is a first-generation antihistamine in the alkylamine class, similar to brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 4 references
Pheniramine competes with histamine for the histamine H1 receptor, acting as an inverse agonist once bound. The reduction in H1 receptor activity is responsible for reduced itching as well as reduced vasodilation and capillary leakage leading to less redness and edema. This can be seen in the suppression of the histamine-induced wheal (swelling) and flare (vasodilation) response. Inverse agonism of the H1 receptor in the CNS is also responsible for the sedation produced by first-generation antihistamines like pheniramine. The binding of pheniramine to H4 receptors, and subsequent inverse agonism, may also contribute to reduced itching by antagonizing inflammation.
- Primary indication
- Pheniramine is commonly used in over-the-counter products to treat seasonal allergies or cold and flu symptoms.Curator reviewed · 17 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C16H20N2 · 240.3434 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1996 · United States, 1994
- Brand names
Resolves to
IJHNSHDBIRRJRN-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCN(C)CCC(C1=CC=CC=C1)C1=CC=CC=N1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Pheniramine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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